Stumpy

There was a tree where I grew up
  That I spent many happy hours on.
  The swinging tire, the branches high
  Ever filled my happiness cup.


  The tree grew, as did I, to an older age,
  It got too big to keep.
  Who could have realized such beauty to be dangerous?
  The house was threatened, as was the garage.


  I had to have the tree cut down,
  Its wood turned into pieces.
  And each time I burn one of them
  I think back, then my smile turns to a frown.


  I could't cut it all the way to the ground,
  So I left a mighty stump.
  Every so often I will go and sit on it
  And just take in the view aroud.


  Now I have come to love that stump
  Which supported my happiness all those years.
  And though it's not the entire tree,
  It is still a good sized bump.


  I play hide-and-seek around it with my son
  When we get in the mood.
  He's learned to look for me around that stump
  As a hiding place, it's my favorite one.


  I'll never cut the stump all the way
  I just couldn't do that to my tree.
  For I love that stump just as I loved the tree in its glory
  And I love it more each passing day.


  Even in my advanced age and being so grumpy
  I thought of giving the stump a name.
  Then, watching "Rio Bravo" one night it came to me,
  I would just call it "Stumpy".

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 10/21/2010 6:55:00 PM
Great ending and a great Western. You have summoned up time and memory in winning fashion here. Regards and thank you from Gerard.
Login to Reply
Date: 10/18/2010 6:44:00 PM
the great stump! enjoyed reading today!
Login to Reply
Date: 10/18/2010 1:24:00 PM
At least you had find playing hide and seak with "Stumpy," but it's a shame the tree had to lose a tree that held so many memories for you. Very nice poem. Diane
Login to Reply
Date: 10/18/2010 10:43:00 AM
When a tree threatens your house, it has to be taken down but you'll always have the memories, Daniel. I had a "Stumpy" at my house in Tallahassee. The insurors paid to remove it when it damaged the roof of my house during a hurricane. Hated to see the old Oak go, but the stump was still there when I sold the house last year. Great entry for the contest and I wish you success! Love, Carolyn
Login to Reply
Date: 10/18/2010 10:39:00 AM
I'm amazed so many people can write for this contest..I couldn't do it ! This is really a good one..Take care~Deb
Login to Reply
Date: 10/18/2010 10:30:00 AM
very nice presentation on the theme for the contest, Daniel
Login to Reply
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter